Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: Sebastian Wannstrom spent most of the season with Brynas at the junior (J18) level. In 32 games, Wannstrom scored 11 goals and added 9 assists for 20 points. Wannstrom went unselected in the 2009 NHL draft.

2009-10: Wannstrom had the most goals (30) and most points (57) in the J20 SuperElit, in 35 games for Brynas. In the SEL, he was held scoreless in 18 games.

2010-11: Wannstrom saw limited ice time as a 19-year-old in his first full season in Sweden’s Elitserien. He averaged under five minutes of ice time per game and was minus-4 with 2 assists and 6 PMs in 45 games for Brynas, which finished seventh in the 12-team league. He skated in five playoff games and was plus-1 with no points or penalties. Wannstrom competed for Sweden at the 2011 U20 World Junior Championship. He scored 2 goals with 3 assists and was plus-1 in six games as Sweden finished fourth in the tournament. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with St. Louis in June 2011.

2011-12: Wannstrom returned to Sweden to play in the Elisterien on loan to Brynas. Skating in a lower line role he scored 8 goals with 7 assists in 43 games and was minus-5 with 20 penalty minutes; averaging 7 minutes of ice-time per game. Brynas won the league playoff championship after finishing fourth in the regular season. Wannstrom was plus-7 with 2 goals and 5 assists while skating in all 17 playoff games.

2012-13: Wannstrom struggled to find ice time in his first professional season in North America and was also slowed by a case of food poisoning; before returning to Sweden to finish the season in the SHL with Brynas. With a deep lineup due to the NHL lockout, Blues AHL affiliate Peoria offered little opportunity for the 21-year-old. Wannstrom scored 1 goal with 2 assists and was -6 with 4 penalty minutes in 16 games before being sent to ECHL Evansville in November. He scored 6 goals with 1 assist and was +2 with 12 penalty minutes in 14 games for the Icemen. Wannstrom returned to Brynas in February rather than being a healthy scratch with Peoria. In nine regular season games he was -5 with no points and 8 penalty minutes; averaging 12 minutes of ice time. Brynas captured the final playoff spot – finishing eighth – and Wannstrom was -4 with no points and 2 penalty minutes in the four-game series with first-place Skelleftea.

2013-14: Wannstrom skated for Blues AHL affiliate Chicago — briefly spending time with the ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings — in his second pro season in North America. A healthy scratch at times during the first half of the season, he played 37 AHL regular season games, scoring 5 goals with 5 assists, and was plus-3 with 20 penalty minutes. The Wolves finished first in the Midwest Division and advanced to the second round in the playoffs. Wannstrom skated in six playoff games; scoring 1 goal with 2 assists and was plus-1 with 6 penalty minutes. In four ECHL games with the Wings he scored 3 goals with 2 assists and was plus-1 with 2 penalty minutes. Wannstrom was re-signed by St. Louis to a one-year two-way contract as a restricted free agent in July 2014.

Talent Analysis

Wännström is a strong skater that creates a lot of space with his speed for him and his linemates. The skilled player has offensive upside and is versatile enough to play on a checking line. to adjust to the speed and style of the North American game. He has steadily adjusted to playing pro hockey in North America and has shown progress at the AHL level.

Future

Wannstrom attended training camp with St. Louis before being assigned to AHL affiliate Chicago to start the 2014-15 season. Now in his third year in North America, he has been one of the more consistent forwards for the Wolves and is playing a strong two-way game at the AHL level. While he is not likely to be the scorer envisioned when he was the 44th player taken in the 2010 NHL Draft, his development to this point suggests he can be an effective two-way forward at the NHL level.

Photo: Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blues’ second pick of the first round in 2010, was tenth in scoring in the NHL this season (courtesy of Brad Rempel/Icon Sportswire)

While the 2010 NHL Draft was hit or miss as a whole for the St. Louis Blues, their top two picks in Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko have turned into franchise players who should have a major role to play moving forward. They are two of the best young players in the NHL and have proven to be two of the Blues best draft picks over the past ten years.